Frequently Asked Questions
About the Application Process
To apply to a fellowship program, applicants must provide a completed pathology fellowship application form (PDF), curriculum vitae, personal statement, three letters of reference (one of which should be from the chair or director of the current training program), USMLE (steps 1, 2, 3) results, medical school transcripts and copy of medical school diploma, and ECFMG certificate, if applicable.
In addition, applicants must be board-eligible in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology or combined anatomic pathology and clinical pathology and licensed to practice medicine in California by the time the fellowship begins.
Most applications are received approximately 20-24 months prior to the fellowship start date. Interviews for qualified applicants will be scheduled as early as Sept. 1 (22 months in advance of the program start). Fellowship programs begin July 1 of every year.
During the interview day, the fellowship applicant meets with the fellowship program director and other pathology faculty members in the subspecialty or related areas. There is ample time during lunch and a tour with the current pathology fellow to ask questions and learn about all aspects of the fellowship.
Yes, the pathology fellowship programs include IMGs and DOs.
Please refer to the Graduate Medical Education website for information regarding requirements for IMGs.
About the Program
As of 2018, fellowships will be available in the following subspecialties:
Anatomic pathology
Clinical pathology
Yes, the fellow has his or her desk and microscope (if applicable) for the year, and is issued a computer with internet access and all necessary pathology software applications.
A typical day begins at 7:30 a.m. and involves patient care, research activities or both, depending on the curriculum in the subspecialty area of training. Lunchtime frequently is coupled with didactic lectures or conferences; these may be in the fellow's subspecialty area, and if not, the fellow is welcome to attend.
Fellows are expected to be in the department until 5 p.m., but fellows often remain longer to complete patient care activities, read about cases or work on research projects. Fellows work hours are well within limits set by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
There are many opportunities for fellows to engage in research with faculty who are experts in their fields. Fellows are required to undertake one project, but they frequently complete multiple research projects focused on clinical or translational studies. Please see the Fellow Publications and Awards page for a list of recent publications.
Fellows are encouraged to submit their work to research competitions available at Cedars-Sinai and the surrounding community. These include the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine's Nathan B. Friedman Competition, the Cedars-Sinai Sports Spectacular and Clinical Fellows Awards, and the Los Angeles Society of Pathologists' annual resident/fellow symposium.
Pathology fellows are required to keep a current certification in basic life support only. For more information, please see the Graduate Medical Education website.
The Compensation Benefits and Policy Information page provides information about stipends and benefits.
Each fellow is allotted a total of $1,800, of which up to $700 may be used to purchase pathology textbooks and pay professional organization dues. The remainder or the entire sum may be used for scientific meeting expenses. Additional funds are available if the fellow is presenting an abstract at a meeting.
Four calendar weeks (20 days total) of paid time off is provided each academic year to cover vacations, interview travel and conference attendance. Additional paid absences are granted for those taking an American Board of Pathology examination, presenting an abstract at a scientific meeting or participating as a committee member of a national pathology organization. In addition, fellows have five days of sick leave each year.
Parking and lab coats are provided for fellows free of charge. The parking structure is across the street from the hospital.
Cedars-Sinai's Work & Life Matters is the institutional employee assistance program. It provides comprehensive, fully integrated work-life services for employees and their dependents (including domestic partners), and includes assistance in finding apartments, child care and counseling.
For information on housing, attractions, dining and more, visit Campus Life.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about The Transfusion Medicine Fellowship at Cedars-Sinai, please call or send us a message.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
116 N. Robertson Blvd.
Pacific Theater Building, 5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90069